Hundreds of Children Sexually Assaulted, Photos and Crime Logs Recorded... French Surgeon Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

A former surgeon in France was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting and abusing hundreds of adults and children over 30 years. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Nahana] A former surgeon in France was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting and molesting hundreds of adults and children over 30 years.

The Sainte Court in France sentenced Joel Lesquarnec (70), who was tried for sexually assaulting and molesting four children including his nephews, patients, and neighbors between 1989 and 2017, AFP reported on the 4th (local time).

Two of Lesquarnec's nephews, who testified as victims in this trial, accused their uncle of sexual assault between 1989 and 1999. They are now 30 and 35 years old. The other victims were a 4-year-old child who visited the hospital in 1993 and a 6-year-old child living next door to Lesquarnec in 2017.

During the closed trial, Lesquarnec said in his final statement, "I will not ask for forgiveness or sympathy. Give me the right to become a better person."

While the judge read the verdict, the victims embraced each other and shed tears.

Meanwhile, during the investigation, documents were found at his home detailing how he sexually assaulted and molested 312 adults and children at a hospital in western France since 1986.

These documents included over 300,000 obscene photos with the names of not only his two nephews but also underage patients. Based on these documents, authorities traced the victims, heard testimonies from 229 people, and 197 filed complaints.

Trials for other crimes committed by Lesquarnec are expected to continue consecutively in the future.